Search form

Interim NKU President to Be Recommended, Search Committee Formed

An interim president may be confirmed at Northern Kentucky University in the coming days.

Board of Regents chairman Rich Boehne said Monday that he would recommend Gerard St. Amand to serve as president of the university at the board's March 15 meeting. St. Amand was vice president of university advancement and was dean of Chase College of Law.

"If there is one trait that defines (St. Amand's) career path, it is dedication," Boehne said in a statement. "He could have easily served five additional years in the United States Army’s Judge Advocate General Corps and retired as a colonel. However, Gerry saw an opportunity to make an impact, so he left the Army to join NKU as Chase Law Dean. So too could he have quietly retired after his tenure as Vice President for Advancement came to an end, but he chose to return to the faculty of Chase Law where he continued his brilliant career of service and education to our students and university.

"Gerry's particular experience with our university, his familiarity with the strategies and culture that have come to define NKU, in addition to his proven and diverse leadership skills, make him my recommended candidate for this key position."

Boehne said that by tapping St. Amand for the interim role, senior campus leaders will be able to continue their work without taking on additional duties during the transition.

Current president Geoffrey Mearns, who is in Detroit watching the NKU men's basketball team in the Horizon League tournament, announced earlier this year that he accepted the president's job at Ball State University in Muncie, In.

Boehne also announced the formation of a search committee to find a permanent president:

Boehne said the Board of Regents is close to selecting an external firm to conduct the nationwide search for NKU's next president. There will be on-campus listening sessions scheduled soon, Boehne said.